Hartford Watchman

FOR THE WATCHMAN.

At the late annual meeting of the Middlesex County Temperance Society, held at Deep River on the 18th ult. the following were elected officers for the ensuing year:

Samuel C. Selden, Esq. President.
George Read, Esq. Amos Sheffield, Esq, Chas. J. MeCurdy. Esq. Dea. Richard Rand, Col. Daniel White, Vice Presidents.
Henry Wooster, Secretary and Treasurer.
Benjamin H. Catlin, M. D. Assistant Sec'ry.
Messrs. J. Hayden, R. P. Williams, Esqrs. B. H. Catlin, M. D. Rév. Messrs. J. Cookson, H. Wooster, George Carrington, and Col. S. Huntington, were appointed delegates to attend the meeting of the State Temperance Society, to be held in Hartford in May next.

Abstract of The Annual Report.—The present is an eventful crisis in the temperance reformation in this country, and will probably decide whether the principles of temperance shall triumph in raising the effectual barrier of public opinion against intemperance, or whether that shall again roll its polluting waves over us. By many this point has been considered as settled long since, and wrapt in fancied security, they have acted as if the great work was already accomplished, when it is but just commenced.—Should the temporary barrier already raised against intemperance give way, and of this there is danger, the liquid fire that has been shut back will rush forth like a torrent, and on its burning tide bear away domestic happiness and virtue.—What shall be the result the friends of temperance are now called upon to determine.

Many have thought the triumph of temperance principles in the public mind certain. They have signed the declaration of independence, but seem to have forgotten that the battle remains to be fought. In the righteousness of their cause they have full confidence, and from the large number that have declared war against the enemy, they doubt not but that it will soon "gain universal sway." It should be remembered, however, that "the battle is not to the strong alone, it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave." These essentials prerequisite to success, to a very great extent, are wanting in the friends of temperance. They are characterized by inactivity and indifference to an alarming extent, while the friends of alcohol are putting forth new and vigorous efforts to regain what they have lost since the reformation began. On their side, and for their support, is the strong arm of the law, and the great majority of those placed in authority. Under these circumstances it is for you to decide whether you will tamely yield the point at issue, or make one united vigorous, and continued effort to gain the victory. In deciding this point you should calculate your strength, acquaint yourselves with the difficulties to be overcome, and settle the principle of action.

Belonging to this society there are 23 auxiliaries, and the whole number connected with them since their organization is 9059; deducting for defections, deaths, and removals out of the county, the present number as nearly as can be ascertained is 7495. The increase the past year may be estimated at 1000 or more. Within the bounds of this society there are 67 temperance stores; 5 temperance taverns; 53 stores, and 30 taverns that traffic in distilled spirits. During the past year there has been an increase of 16 temperance stores, and a decrease of 17 that trafficked in ardent spirits. The number of taverns has increased 4. Two temperance, and two not so. Three societies reported 9 deaths within their limits occasioned by intemperance, and other societies reported the number as doubtful.

These statistics show that during the past year the temperance cause has been gaining ground, although its friends have made but feeble efforts for its advancement. They also show what remains yet to be accomplished.

The following are some of the obstacles named in the reports of the auxiliaries, which retard the progress of the reformation, viz:—the love of rum—the traffic in ardent spirits by persons of influence—the granting of licenses—the inactivity of temperance members—the opposition of professors of religion, and their trafficking in the poison of death—the patronage of rum stores by temperance members, and the use of fermented drinks, especially by members of temperance societies.

The last two obstacles are more seriously felt from the fact that they are thrown in the way by temperance members themselves. A moment's reflection is sufficient to show the inconsistency of those who bestow their patronage upon rum-selling stores. Many of these stores could not long sustain themselves were it not for the patronage of temperance members, and yet they are far from thinking that they are keeping open the fountains of pollution. Will not the friends of the cause think of this?

The use of fermented drinks not only cherishes and keeps alive an intemperate appetite, but has a tendency to form intemperate habits. Says the Secretary of one of the auxiliaries, "Can the great evil of intemperance be stopped, when the people abstain from the use of distilled spirits and substitute fermented liquors? My opinion is, that the chariot wheels of the temperance reformation will move but slowly so long as the professed friends of the cause give their countenance to the use of intoxicating drinks." This is the opinion of many, and they feel that the time has come when they should take the ground of entire abstinence from all that can intoxicate. Says the report of the Lyme Temperance Society, "Many of the most active friends of the cause are in favor of organizing a new society, on the principle of entire abstinence from all that intoxicates, to which many also at present are opposed. This circumstance prevents at present more decided action. We are in a state of transition, passing as we hope from the half pledge to the whole one, and we hope by and by at least to commence operations with new vigor, teaching sound doctrine and right practice."

Since your last annual meeting, the Deep River Temperance Society has been organized upon the principle of entire abstinence from all that can intoxicate, and become auxiliary to this. Their number as yet is small, but they doubt not the correctness of the principle they have adopted.

While the progress of the temperance reform is greatly retarded by the inactivity of many of its professed friends, some societies have shown a commendable zeal in the prosecution of the work, and the results have been most happy, particularly the society of Middletown City. The following extract from the Executive Committee, forwarded by their Secretary, shows the happy results of their efforts.

"The labors of the Rev. Mr. Hunt among us, for one week, were attended with very favorable and happy effects. The interest he excited was intense, and the immediate effects of his efforts were an addition to our number of about 300 adults, besides about 300 children. The increase for the year past may be estimated at 600 and over.

There has been also a very important movement made by the citizens generally, to put down unlicensed dramshops, and to prevent dramshops of every description from covering the iniquity of their traffic by a tavern license. The feelings of the public were very strongly and fully expressed. Dram selling was denounced as one of the greatest of evils. A large and respectable committee was appointed to wait on all the dealers, to persuade them, if possible, to abandon the trade, and although in this object they were not as successful as could have been wished, yet they were generally very pleasantly and kindly received. The result of the movement we regard as favorable. One of the most extensive of these shops of iniquity has been abandoned, and the owner of it is now rejoicing in his deliverance from an employment so nearly allied to that pursued by the spirits of darkness. Several other shops have been partially or wholly suppressed, and the granting of tavern licenses to shops of this description has been withheld. In these results we find evidence of an increased interest of the public mind in regard to temperance. We feel confident that facts will sustain us in the opinion that our cause is progressing."

H. Wooster, Secretary.
Deep River, April 21, 1837.